Apiary and Honey Production

In 2012, after receiving funding for the original greenhouse pilot project, we realized there was a concern over the declining pollinator population, and decided to establish an onsite apiary. Since then our bees have been happily living, and flourishing, behind the greenhouse with lots of room to pollinate in the surrounding farmland.

The staff at Our Sustenance is working with our friends at Humble Bee Inc. to revitalize the current hives, and start up honey production again in 2019. The bees bring pollinators to the community to help our plants and gardens grow, and also produce a great by-product – fresh local honey. The honey collected will be sold by the jar through the Garden Cafe in various sizes including 250 ml and 500 ml jars, and will also be used as a natural sweetener in various café menu items.

About Humble Bee Inc.

Humble Bee Inc. is a partnership between Luc Peters and Dan Douma. They are considered primarily urban beekeepers, with half a dozen apiaries in the Hamilton area, including locations at the Mustard Seed and the Cotton Factory, as well as more traditional rural locations. Humble Bee Inc. focuses primarily on urban honey production, breeding and sales of queen bees, nucleus colonies, as well as educating beekeepers and the general public.

Their philosophy is to put the needs of the bees first, with the understanding that maintaining healthy, thriving colonies is in the best interests of both the bees and the beekeeper. The colonies they manage are without the use of antibiotics or synthetic miticides. With over 20 years of experience, Humble Bee Inc. can help with all our beekeeping goals.